I even understand why you needed her.

But I was never going to hand you the rest of me to ruin as well.”

My father stepped forward with his hands raised, every trace of the man at the microphone gone, replaced by the desperate courtier who worships power and has just understood he offended it in its own house.

“Josephine, please.

We’re family.

This is a misunderstanding, and misunderstandings can be mended.

Sit down with us — you, your mother, me, and your husband.